Rebels close in on Raqqa with aid of coalition bombing raids

SYRIAN rebel forces have opened the long-awaited assault on Raqqa, Islamic State’s self-declared capital, beginning what the United States hopes will be a “decisive blow” to the caliphate.

After months of fighting their way towards the city, troops from the Usbacked Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began the attack late on Monday and by yesterday afternoon had fought their way to the eastern edge of Raqqa.

“We declare today the beginning of the great battle to liberate the city of Raqqa, the alleged capital of terrorism and terrorists,” said Talal Silo, a spokesman for the SDF.

“Morale is high and military readiness to implement the military plan is complete, in coordination with the Usled coalition.”

Lt Gen Steve Townsend, the commander of the anti-isil coalition, said the fight for Raqqa, like the battle for Mosul in neighbouring Iraq, would be long and difficult but the offensive “would deliver a decisive blow to the idea of Isil as a physical caliphate”.

Losing both Raqqa and Mosul would leave the jihadists without a major city stronghold in either Iraq or Syria. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is believed to have around 4,000 fighters in Raqqa and to have spent months preparing its defences to try to repel the coalition attack.

The jihadists have set up barricades and minefields around the city and covered main roads in large sheets of cloth to make it more difficult for the Us-led coalition to carry out air strikes.

The Us-led coalition is providing air cover for the SDF fighters as they advance. The Pentagon said 24 strikes had been launched in the past day.